Heuvelton Marching Bulldogs top Sundays Battle of the Bands

Alicia M. LaRose, a senior at Heuvelton Central School, doesnt mind spending the summer practicing for marching band competitions. For her, marching for the Bulldogs has been a highlight of her time at Heuvelton.

She practices as part of the rifle and baton team about two and a half hours a day, two to three days a week.

Its definitely worth my summer, she said. We have practiced more this year and spent a lot of time preparing. This is a harder routine than weve done in years past.

Heuvelton was one of four schools that competed in Sundays Battle of the Bands competition at Ogdensburg Free Academys athletic field as part of the 53rd Annual Ogdensburg Seaway Festival.

Heuvelton took home the most awards of the night, including highest marching marks with a score of 29.15. With a score of 33.5, Ogdensburg Free Academy took home highest musical analysis. With a score of 23.75, Heuvelton took home highest general effect. Morristown Central School took home the nights Espirit de Corp Award.

The stands were filled for Sundays competition, as spectators cheered on their favorite bands in the hopes of claiming hometown glory.

The Northern New York Parade Music Judges Association evaluated teams in a host of categories, including twirling flags, best mascot, and musical analysis.

Heuvelton performed Dancin Through Time, a celebration of dance hits from Kool & the Gangs Celebration to LMFAOs Party Rock Anthem.

My favorite thing is listening to the crowd and how pumped they get for us, especially when we play Party Rock Anthem Ms. LaRose said.

This year is especially significant for the Golden Knights of Lisbon Central School. Not only did they represent New York at the National Independence Day Parade in Washington D.C., but they are also celebrating the bands 10th anniversary.

The Golden Knights performed a compilation of their greatest hits, called Retrospection, in honor of the milestone.

Its very representative of some of our best years, playing Sir Duke and Journey, but its also a look forward, with New York, New York, band director Glenn D. Roberts said.

Clad in dark sunglasses and blue fedoras, the Ogdensburg Blue Devils performed A Tribute to the Blues Brothers.

Its my last year, Sarah G. Barr, an Ogdensburg Free Academy senior, who leads the baton and rifle team said. I love my team. I am going to miss them so much.

This was Richard E. Pattons first year coaching the Morristown Green Rockets.

Mr. Patton previously served two years as an assistant coach at Ogdensburg Free Academy.

Band members dressed as the Pink Ladies to perform musical numbers from the movie Grease.

Were so excited, Mr. Patton said. There is a lot of energy for this small group. We will hopefully grow next year.

The bands will compete in two more competitions this season: the Ogdensburg Seaway Festival Parade and the St. Lawrence County Fair.

Other awards were given in the following categories:

American Flag Line: third place went Ogdensburg Free Academy, second place went to Lisbon Central School, and first place went to Heuvelton.

Rifles and Batons: third place went to Morristown, second place went to Lisbon Central School, and first place went to Heuvelton Central School.

Twirling Flags: third place went to Lisbon Central School, second place went to Heuvelton Central School, and third place went to Ogdensburg Free Academy.

Major and Majorette: third place went to Lisbon, second place went to Ogdensburg Free Academy, and first place went to Heuvelton Central School.

Horn line: third place went to Lisbon Central School, second place went to Heuvelton Central School, and first place went to Ogdensburg Free Academy.

Woodwinds: third place went to Heuvelton Central School, second place went to Morristown Central School, and third place went to Lisbon Central School.

Percussion: third place went to Ogdensburg Free Academy, second place went to Heuvelton, and first place went to Lisbon.

Ensemble: third place went to Lisbons Central Schools percussion, second place went to the Morristown Central Schools ensemble, and third place went to Lisbon Central Schools quartet.

Solo: third place went to Lisbon Central Schools trombone player, second place went to Morristown Central Schools alto saxophone player, and first place went to Ogdensburg Free Academys trumpet player.

Mascot: third place went to Heuvelton Central School s bull dog, second place went to Lisbon Central Schools Golden Knight and first place went to Ogdensburg Free Academys Blue Devil.

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